What is the proper method of chambering a round?
1. Hitting the slide release
2. Pull back the slide and release it

I have 8 pistols and I have gotten in the habit of doing the second method because I think I read somewhere once that was the proper way to do it. Does anybody know the pros and cons for either method?

I do the second method, often called the slingshot method. I think of my slide catch as a slide catch, not a slide release, and have heard anecdontal stories about using as a slide release can result in premature wear on the slide catch to the degree that it can become unreliable.

While I don't know the pros or cons when my agency transitioned from revolvers to semi autos we were taught to retract the slide and release it. We were issued the Glock 23 so a cocked hammer was not a problem. Hope that helps.

I was taught the same way as oldcop. I also transitioned from revolvers to a DAO 5946 9mm. When I got a cs45 i had to ask members of the board if it was ok to decock it and have the safety in fire position, and still carry it safely. I kind of thought I was correct, but I made sure with the forum members who are vastly more experienced with weapons than I am.

With the slingshot method, you don't have to worry where the slide lock is on the piece that you happen to be using. It's universal with autos, or at least any auto that I can think of that's geared towards defensive use.

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Stu

I have used a wide variety of auto loading handguns over the years. Though relatively speaking the slide lock is almost always positioned at about the extent the average thumb can reach, this is not always the case, sometimes its closer, sometimes its further. Also these days there are more pistols being produced that don't even have a slide lock. To me it just makes sense to get in the practice of using the sling shot method. Afterall, the end of the slide is always in the same spot. That way you have one less thing to become accustomed to in transitioning from one style of pistol to another.

I use whichever method I feel like using at the time I need to do it. Both work fine. My Glock 30 manual says either way is okay, so...

Welcome to the forum Sailor, and good question. I use the slide release, since my left thumb is there with nothing else to do. In fact, I never even thought about the slingshot method.

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Inconsistently consistent

In Basic Pistol, I always teach loading from an open slide without using the slide catch because everybody needs to know this universal method that works on everything, every time.

However, it will not hurt your gun to close it after a load by using your thumb, and that is what most competitors do. If you try closing the slide on an empty gun using your thumb, some guns are very hard.

Some guns will close merely with a brisk insertion of the loaded magazine, which is nice in competition.

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Science plus Art

slingshot method has two advantages:
1) it's universal to all autoloaders
2) the slide has slightly more velocity going forward

so for "real world" use, it's a better technique

that said, using the slide stop to release the slide is generally faster and you see that a lot in competition.

the Israeli IDF train their folks to carry mag inserted, no rounds in chamber and safety off. They can draw rack and fire in less than a second. That way it doesn't matter what kind you are carrying or where the safety is you can get the round off in time.

either way is okay

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Scott from Canton Ohio

Prior to 9-11, when we had M-9s, we carried with the chamber empty and were taught to draw, and slingshot the slide. It's not as slow and clumsy as it sounds. These days, I still pull the slide back and release it when inserting a fresh mag, as opposed to tripping the slide release.

Using slide release is faster, and consistant, no finger fumbling do to added factors; there is a list. Undrer the stress of injury it is easier to perform, especially for those with some phisical challenge. Flapjack.

I'm a southpaw, so when carrying or competing my left trigger finger automaticly uses the slide release as a rest when changing mags, or if I have to show lock and clear. Its what I've learned from years and years of carrying a 1911 for Uncle Sam. The only guns I have to slingshot is my Walther PP series of guns and my SIG P225.

PS, If John Browning didn't think it needed one, he wouldn't have put one there, it would have been set up as something similar to the Wather PP series.

in my leo days we used both on the line we used the release. faster to hit when your reloading.one move with the thumb

I use the slingshot when just routinely chambering a round to save wear on the slide stop. I use the slide stop when doing drills or just shooting at the range.

I use both, and have stayed at many Best Western’s over the years.

Be aware that its hard on a 1911 to let the slide SLAM forward on an empty chamber. Wish I was smart enough to tell you why, but learned this fact at one of the 4 pistol classes I’ve done at Thunder Ranch, so feel safe repeating it as fact.

Emory

I was curious as to what the manual said to my CS9 being it is in the drawer next to me and it says:

To make sure that the magazine is fully and securely inserted, apply some removal pressure to the exposed portion of the magazine butt plate. PRESS DOWN ON THE SLIDE STOP to release the slide and allow it to carry fully foward. This strips a cartridge from the magazine ad seats it in the chamber of the barrel.

So S&W is telling owners to thumb down the slide stop to release the slide.

With that said, anyone here ever wear out their slide catch from to much shooting?

Sir, No I haven't, though I'm trying hard!!!!

If I may ask a semi related question here; I carry a S&W 1911 full time. When going to the range (1-3 times a week, I use 230gr fmj. When I am carrying for work or SD, I have it loaded with the old Black Talon (got a few hundred of them left from years ago).

A few weeks ago at the range, a man saw me reload the socially select situation ammo and he told me I was ruining the bullet by continually re-chambering the same bullet. It was his contention that when I unload the round, it should be placed about half way down in the mag so the chambering over and over would not change the bullet dimensions.

Is he correct? I have been doing it for years and some rounds I have may have been rechambered dozens of times over a year.

It's because the slide needs the cushioning effect of stripping a round out of the magazine. A hard slam against the breech tends to batter the sear engagement against the hammer. This eventually results in the hammer falling to half cock instead of firing the weapon. Bad juju.

With respect to the OP's original question, use of the slide stop is faster when performing a speed reload. The slingshot method uses a more "gross motor" movement of the hand under stress. I used the slide stop method for many years, but after receiving professional instruction from a couple of different schools in recent years, have been using the slingshot method. It's slower, but makes sense to me as having utility and consistency under stress.

Both ways will work for most pistols. The manual for my Kahr CW9 says to use the slide stop to release the slide. On a fully loaded mag, the top round is oriented a little differently than if you download the mag by one. Some people have stated their Kahr cycles fine when using the slingshot method on a fully loaded mag. Others have stated they have had problems unless they use the slide release. The sling shot method requires and assumes that you will have use of both your hands when reloading. That may not be the case. For that reason, I try to get used to using the slide stop. If I am reloading and wanting to quickly put the weapon back into action with a 2 handed grip, I am faster at getting a good 2 handed first shot off with the slide stop release method. Whatever you are best with is good, but I would suggest planning for the unthinkable and being able to do both methods well under stress.

I used to use the slide stop but since academy and firearms training as a reserve, I use the slingshot. I got used to it and now its ingrained into me.

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M&P .40, M&P 9c & Shield 45

even if that did somehow happen, fixing that part would probably be pennies on the dollar compared to any other failure. i definately wouldn't worry about it.

The contention that releasing the slide by grabbing the slide is a "gross motor motion" and preferrable to the "fine motor motion" of using the slide stop is nonsense.

First, any grabbing or manipulative motion of the hand is, by definition, a fine motor skill. Doesn't matter what that motion is.

Second, let's think about it. The fine motor motions/skills used in shooting include: the trigger stroke, hitting the magazine release and grasping and inserting the spare magazine. If you've successfully managed all the activities noted, why exactly are you suddenly stricken with an inability to manipulate the slide stop/perform a fine motor motion? More to the point, if you're now so stricken, just how are you expecting to hit your target after reloading?

You should be familiar with both methods of slide release and be capable of using either as necessary. There are several reasons why grasping the slide may be conditionally better than using the slide stop, heavy gloves being one. Let's just quit using BS to justify them.

If your weapon needs the "extra velocity" from pulling the slide to chamber a round, buy a new recoil spring.

Repeatedly chambering the same round has the potential to push the bullet farther into the case. The condition is known as setback. This can lead to higher pressure. Especially in high pressure cartridges like the 9mm and .40SW.

In regards to the OP question, I have been slowly transitioning. I was originally trained to use the slide release. I have carried both the Sig 228 and the Beretta as a duty weapon. We were cautioned at one time against using the slingshot method on the Beretta due to the potential to activate the slide mounted safety in the process.

I have most recently been transitioning towards the slingshot method, however, because it marries the muscle memory of reloading and that of malfunction clearance. I no longer carry anything with a slide mounted safety. This is one of the reasons I am looking for a 4566 with the decocker only.

Chubbs

personally I like the sling-shot method for the simple fact that it always works, no matter what the gun.

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"I'm your huckleberry."

It simply doesn't matter HOW you get the gun back in action, just get it running in what ever manner you can. It seems to me that being proficient with any and all methods is a part of all of our training.
Randy

I realize this is a little off topic but I thought it might be worth mentioning.

When semi auto pistols first came out the slide serrations were placed on the front of the slide near the front sight. Examples would be the 1902, 1903 Colt models. With the 1905 Colt (thereabouts) the serrations were moved to the rear of the slide. Some manufacturers are now placing the serrations both at the front and the rear of the slide. I guess it looks cool. The explanation I received was that in moving the serrations to the rear of the slide near the rear sight was that some people were placing the hand gun across their chest and pointing the muzzle towards their elbow and racking the slide back with a motion of pushing your hands together. If that person was not careful (i.e. finger on the trigger) and had a discharge the round would pass through the forearm and or the elbow. Even with the serrations moved some people were shown this same method with equally disasterous results. With the sling shot method where the handgun was pointed away from the user if a discharge occurred it would be hopefully be pointed downrange.

(Notice I didn’t use accidental discharge. Equipment malfunctions do happen but not as often as one would like to believe. As for human error I’ve heard them referred to as id-10-t malfunctions because of a defective carbon based user module.)

I was taught both methods. The slingshot for range use and the slide release for use out in the field.

No, but then again I don't use that method. I have SEEN guns with rounded edges on the slide stop notch. I assume they are from extensive use of the stop lever as a slide release.

If you carry/shoot a gun for other than sporting purposes, I think you should try to pick one method and stick with it.

There are actually three methods of releasing the slide. First is the slide stop. Second is the "slingshot" method and third is the over the top method which is often claimed to be superior to the slingshot.

I am of the "its a slide stop or slide catch, not a slide release" school of thought. Between the slingshot and over-the-top, there is much debate.

I have a reprint of a WWII era Colt .45 Auto Pistol manual. "Grasp the slide with the left hand, thumb on the right side of the slide. Pull the slide fully to the rear, release and press the safety lock up to the SAFE position with the left forefinger. To fire the pistol, press the safety lock down to the FIRE position ..."

I do both, and they both always work. If not, something's broken.

I'm a 1911 guy -- no revolvers, hence just a few posts here.

My two cents, after spending time with both methods, is that the slingshot method is significantly preferable for ME personally. For me, it requires less "fine motor skills" than hitting the slide stop. It also means that you're chambering rounds in the same manner regardless of whether you've just re-loaded from a slide lock position or whether you've initially loaded with the slide in the normal forward position. It also makes sense to allow the slide the longest possible "run" distance.

Additionally, most of my 1911 were purposefully built with a narrow slide stop (as well as a narrow thumb safety lever) for tactical/carry purposes. I wouldn't want to rely on hitting these narrow slide stops if I were ever in a critical situation (which hopefully will never occur).

Having said this, I do believe that it makes sense for each individual to try both methods. If you find that hitting the slide stop seems easier and more natural for YOU, then perhaps that would be the better method.